Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Phocus) marks the centre of the Piazza del Foro, the Forum's main market and meeting
place.
The eight granite columns behind the Colonna are all that remain of the Tempio di
Saturno OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Temple of Saturn) , one of Rome's most important temples
that doubled as the state treasury.
Behind it are (from north to south): the ruins of the Tempio della Concordia OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP (Temple of Concord) , the Tempio di Vespasiano OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Temple
of Vespasian and Titus) and the Portico degli Dei Consenti OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP .
Passing over to the path parallel to Via Sacra, you'll see the stubby ruins of the Basilica
Giulia OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , which was begun by Julius Caesar and finished by
Augustus. At the end of the basilica are three columns of the Tempio di Castore e Polluce
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Temple of Castor and Pollux) , a 5th-century BC temple built to
mark the defeat of the Etruscan Tarquins in 489 BC. To the south, the Chiesa di Santa Maria
Antiqua OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP is the oldest Christian church in the Forum.
Back towards Via Sacra is the Casa delle Vestali OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (House of the
Vestal Virgins) , home of the virgins who tended the sacred flame in the adjoining Tempio di
Vesta OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP .
The six virgin priestesses were selected from patrician families when aged between six
and 10 to serve in the temple for 30 years. If the flame in the temple went out, the priest-
ess responsible would be flogged, and if she lost her virginity she would be buried alive,
since her blood couldn't be spilled. The offending man would be flogged to death.
Continuing up Via Sacra, past the Tempio di Romolo OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Temple of
Romulus) , you come to the Basilica di Massenzio OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Basilica di
Costantino) , the largest building on the Forum. Started by the Emperor Maxentius and fin-
ished by Constantine in 315 - it's also known as the Basilica di Costantino - it originally
covered an area of approximately 100m by 65m. A colossal statue of Constantine, pieces
of which are on display at the Capitoline Museums, was unearthed here in 1487.
Beyond the basilica is the Arco di Tito OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Arch of Titus) , built in
AD 81 to celebrate Vespasian and Titus' victories against Jerusalem. In the past, Roman
Jews would avoid passing under this arch, the historical symbol of the beginning of the
Diaspora.
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